TCXO replacement for GPS

ABSTRACT

To determine the level of frequency drift of a crystal oscillator as a result of a change in the its temperature, the temperature of the crystal oscillator is sensed and used together with previously stored data that includes a multitude of drift values of the frequency of the crystal oscillator each associated with a temperature of the crystal oscillator. Optionally, upon initialization of a GPS receiver in which the crystal oscillator is disposed, an initial temperature of the crystal oscillator is measured and a PLL is set to an initial frequency in association with the initial temperature. When acquisition fails in a region, the ppm region is changed. The temperature of the crystal oscillator is periodically measured and compared with the initial temperature, and the acquisition process is reset if there is a significant change in temperature. The GPS processor enters the tracking phase when acquisition is successful.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/303,075, filed Feb. 10, 2010, and U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/422,329, filed Dec. 13, 2010, thecontents of both of which applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clock reference signal used in aglobal positioning system (GPS), and more particularly to a method andapparatus for calibrating a crystal oscillator.

The GPS is a satellite-based navigation system which requires a verystable local timing reference to ensure accurate navigation. There arecurrently three GPS systems, namely the NAVSTAR Global PositioningSystem controlled by the United States Defense Department, the GLONASSsystem maintained by the Russian Republic, and the GALILEO systemproposed by Europe.

To decode these satellite signals, a GPS receiver must first acquire thesignals transmitted by a minimum number of satellites. A GPS receiverrequired a very accurate internal frequency reference in order to lockon to the GPS signals.

In general, a GPS receiver has an internal crystal oscillator that isfree running when the receiver is first turned on. Acquisition will notbe successful if the difference between the PLL frequency of the GPSreceiver and the GPS frequency is larger than the carrier frequencyoffset search range in acquisition.

Conventional GPS receivers typically use a temperature compensatedcrystal oscillator to provide a stable and accurate internal referencefrequency. Such temperature compensated crystals are very stable withtime and temperature and provide the GPS receiver with a short amount oftime to acquire satellite signals. Conventional temperature compensatedcrystal oscillators have a frequency drift of ±1 PPM or “ppm” (parts permillion) or less throughout the operating temperature range of thecrystal.

However, temperature compensated crystals are very expensive. Inaddition, the initial acquisition time of the satellite signals may belong. A need continues to exist for a low-cost crystal oscillator forGPS receivers. The present invention provides a technical solution toovercome the frequency shift of the uncompensated crystal oscillatorsand simultaneously enable a fast acquisition time.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method for determining the frequency drift of a crystal oscillator inresponse to a change in the temperature of the crystal oscillator,includes, in part, measuring the temperature of the crystal oscillator,and using the data stored in a memory to determine the size of thefrequency drift of the crystal oscillator. The data includes a multitudeof drift values of the frequency of the crystal oscillator each of whichcorresponds to a temperature value.

In one embodiment the crystal oscillator is disposed in a GPS receiver.In one embodiment the multitude of drift values of the frequency of thecrystal oscillator and the corresponding multitude of temperature valuesare collected during a tracking phase of the GPS receiver. In oneembodiment the crystal oscillator provides a reference clock to aphase-locked loop disposed in the GPS receiver. In one embodiment thephase-locked loop is a fractional phase-locked loop.

In one embodiment, the method further includes, in part, applying anon-linear function to the stored data to determine the frequency driftof the crystal oscillator in response to a temperature change. In oneembodiment, the method further includes, changing the center frequencyoffset of the clock signal applied to the PLL during an acquisitionphase of the GPS receiver incrementally and in accordance with acorrection factor to generate a multitude of frequency ranges one ofwhich causes the GPS receiver to acquire a GPS satellite signal. In oneembodiment, adjacent frequency ranges partially overlap one another.

In one embodiment, the method further includes changing at least one ofthe drift values of the frequency of the crystal oscillator and itscorresponding temperature during a second tracking phase. In oneembodiment, the method further includes increasing the number of driftvalues of the frequency of the crystal oscillator and the numbercorresponding temperature values during a second tracking phase.

A device in accordance with one embodiment of the present inventionincludes, in part, a crystal oscillator; a temperature sensor adapted tosense the temperature of the crystal oscillator, a memory adapted tostore a multitude of drift values of the frequency of the crystaloscillator and a multitude of corresponding temperature values, and aprocessor adapted to receive a temperature sensed by the temperaturesensor and use the multitude of drift values of the frequency of thecrystal oscillator and the multitude of corresponding temperature valuesto determine the frequency drift of the crystal oscillator caused by theoscillator's temperature.

In one embodiment, the device is a GPS receiver. In one embodiment, themultitude of drift values of the frequency of the crystal oscillator andthe corresponding multitude of values of the temperature are collectedduring a tracking phase of the GPS receiver. In one embodiment, the GPSreceiver includes a phase-locked loop that receives a reference clocksignal generated by the crystal oscillator. In one embodiment, thephase-locked loop is a fractional phase-locked loop.

In one embodiment, the processor is adapted to apply a non-linearfunction to the data stored in the memory to determine the frequencydrift of the crystal oscillator at any given temperature. In oneembodiment, the processor is further adapted to change the centerfrequency offset of the reference clock signal, applied to the PLLduring an acquisition phase of the GPS receiver, incrementally and inaccordance with a correction factor to generate a multitude of frequencyranges one of which ranges enables the GPS receiver to acquire the GPSsatellite signal. In one embodiment, adjacent frequency ranges partiallyoverlap one another.

In one embodiment, the processor is further adapted to change at leastone of the drift values of the frequency of the crystal oscillator andits corresponding temperature value stored in the memory during atracking phase. In one embodiment, the processor is further adapted toincrease the number of drift values of the frequency of the crystaloscillator and the number of corresponding temperature values during atracking phase.

Embodiment of the present invention provide methods for temperaturecompensation of an uncompensated crystal oscillator. The method includesstarting an acquisition phase upon the initialization of the crystaloscillator and entering a tracking phase once the acquisition phase iscompleted. The acquisition phase includes measuring the initialtemperature of the crystal oscillator, and setting an initial frequencyof the phase locked loop in association with the initial temperature. Ifthe difference between the current temperature and the temperaturemeasured before going to sleep is high, acquisition search range ofcarrier frequency offset will be widened. The method further includesmeasuring the current temperature of the crystal oscillator periodicallyafter waiting for a time period and comparing the periodically measuredtemperature with the initial temperature. If the difference between thetwo temperatures is greater than a threshold value, the acquisitionprocess will be reset.

In another embodiment, the acquisition phase is completed if thecorrelation between the received GPS signal and the stored PRN codecorresponding to a satellite is high; and the receiver enters then thetracking phase.

In an embodiment, the tracking phase includes recording an estimated ppmof the crystal in association with the currently measured temperatureand constructing a set of ppm values as a function of the currentlymeasured temperatures.

Embodiments of the present invention also include a device for frequencyacquisition having a PLL coupled with a crystal oscillator. The devicefurther includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature at theproximity of the crystal oscillator. Additionally, the device includes acontroller that can characterize the stability of the crystal frequencyrelative to the temperature taken at the proximity of the crystaloscillator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a GPS receiver, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a fractional-N phase-locked loopused in the receiver of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3A is a plot representing a typical frequency change of acommercial crystal oscillator as the ambient temperature changes.

FIG. 3B shows the plot of FIG. 3A partitioned into a number of frequencyregions used to acquire a GPS signal, in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3C shows the symmetry of the plot shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of steps used to acquire a GPS signal, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of steps used during a GPS tracking mode, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plot of frequency change as a function of temperature for anumber of different cuts of commercially available crystal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a GPS receiver 100, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Receiver 100 isshown as including an antenna 102 that receives the GPS signal anddelivers it to mixer 110. Mixer 110 is adapted to downconvert thefrequency of the received GPS signal using the clock signal OSC suppliedby phase-locked loop (PLL) 120. The output signal of mixer 110 issupplied to GPS processor 180 for further processing. The referenceclock signal F_crystal is supplied to PLL 120 by crystal oscillator 130.The oscillating frequency of signal F_crystal may vary in differentembodiments. In one example, crystal oscillator 130 may have a nominalfrequency of 16.368327 MHz. Crystal oscillator 130 is not compensatedover its operating temperature range. GPS receiver 100 is shown asincluding a temperature sensor 140 positioned in proximity of crystaloscillator 130 and adapted to sense the temperature of crystaloscillator 130 and supply the sensed temperature to controller 150.Controller 150 has access to data stored in memory 160 thatcharacterizes the frequency drift of crystal oscillator 130 as afunction of temperature. Controller 150 may communicate with an externalhost processor (not shown) through interface 170. Controller 150 maycontain multiple configuration and control registers (not shown) forconfiguring and controlling PLL 120 and other blocks of GPS receiver100. Controller 150 may also include a timer 155 for keeping track ofthe time period during which GPS processor 180 is in an acquisitionmode.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of one embodiment of fractional-Nphase locked loop 120 of FIG. 1. Phase locked loop 120 maintains a fixedrelationship between the phase and frequency of the signal it receives,namely signal F_crystal, and those of the signal it generates, namelysignal FB. PLL 120 is shown as including, in part, a phase/frequencydetector 180, a charge pump 182, a loop filter 184, and a voltagecontrolled oscillator (VCO) 186 which generates the clock signal CLK atits output terminal. Divider 188 divides the frequency of signal CLK togenerate signal FB.

Fractional-N PLL 120 enables the use of a reference frequency higherthan the frequency step size required from the PLL. Phase/frequencydetector 180 receives signals REF and Clk, and in response, generatessignals UP and DN that correspond to the difference between the phasesof the signals F-crystal and FB. Charge pump 182 receives signals UP andDN and in response varies the current I₁ which it supplies to loopfilter 184. Loop filter 184 stores the charge supplied by current I₁ asvoltage V₁ and then delivers voltage V₁ to VCO 186.

If signal F_crystal leads signal CLK in phase—indicating that the VCO isrunning relatively slowly—the duration of pulse signal UP increaseswhile the duration of pulse signal DN decreases, thereby causing chargepump 182 to increase its net output current I₁ until VCO 186 achieves anoscillation frequency at which signal FB is frequency-locked andphase-locked with signal F_crystal. If, on the other hand, signalF_crystal lags signal FB in phase—indicating that the VCO is runningrelatively fast—the duration of pulse signal UP decreases while theduration of pulse signal DN increases—thereby causing VCO 186 achieve anoscillation frequency at which signal FB is frequency-locked andphase-locked with signal F_crystal. Signal FB is considered to be lockedto signal F_crystal if its frequency is within a predetermined frequencyrange of signal F_crystal. Signal FB is considered to be out-of-lockwith signal F_crystal if its frequency is outside the predeterminedfrequency range of signal F_crystal. The frequency of signal Clk may besubstantially equal to the frequency of the received GPS signal or maybe a multiple thereof.

Divider 188 may include a dual-mode divide-by-N and divide-by-(N+1)integer divider. Divider 188 is adapted to perform a fractional divisionoperation so as to enable VCO 186 to have any frequency resolution. Thefrequency of the output signal Clk of VCO 186 may be determined by thefollowing expression:F(Clk)=F_crystal*(N+F/K)where N, F, and K are integers, with N representing the integer part,and F and K representing the fractional part of the division.

By dividing (K−F) cycles by N and F cycles by (N+1), the resultingfrequency is then (K−F)*N+F*(N+1) within K cycles, thus a fractional(F/K) frequency value can be obtained. In one embodiment, the frequencyof crystal signal F_crystal is 16.368 MHz, and K is 22 bits.Accordingly, in such embodiments, the fractional-N PLL 120 may produce afrequency resolution of about 4 Hz. In another embodiment, the frequencyof crystal signal is 26 MHz.

The fractional-N PLL includes a full adder 190 that receives the integercount N and a sigma-delta modulator 192 that is coupled to full adder190. The sigma-delta modulator 192 generates a fine (fractional) valuefor the PLL.

The fractional-N PLL 120, in accordance with the present invention,further provides the advantage of low frequency jitter. As thedual-modulus divider 188 changes state from a divide-by-N to adivide-by-(N+1), a jump in the phase difference at the output of PFD 180can be caused. This phase jump is periodic and appears as discretefrequency spurs. Sigma-delta modulator 192 is adapted to randomize thisperiodicity to inhibit the formation of the discrete spurs.

The PLL 120 is further shown as including a lock detector 196 thatreceives signals Up and DN from PFD 180 to assert the lock signal LKwhen the PLL is in lock. In one embodiment, lock detector 196 assertsthe lock signal CLK when the signals UP and DOWN have the same logicstate.

FIG. 3A is a plot representing a typical frequency change (Δf/f) of acommercial crystal oscillator as the ambient temperature changes. FIG.3B shows the plot of FIG. 3A partitioned into multiple overlappingregions. These regions are used during the acquisition phase, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention and as describedbelow. Within each part per million (ppm) region, the frequency changeis considered to be lying within the acquisition carrier offset searchrange of GPS processor 180. In such embodiments, the frequencymeasurement data at some temperature points can be obtained and storedin a memory of GPS processor 180 when it is in tracking mode. Afiltering algorithm can be utilized to reduce measurement noise. Thenumber of data points can be chosen by considering the trade-off betweenthe memory size and the complexity of frequency estimation.

During an acquisition phase, the frequency estimation at any giventemperature can be obtained (i) directly from stored data; (ii) bylinear interpolation/extrapolation of stored data using an algorithm,such as the least square algorithm, and/or (iii) by utilizing odd oreven symmetry of frequency curve of the crystal oscillator about thetemperature T₀ given ppm vs. temperature is a third order polynomial asin FIG. 3C.

For example, the frequency measurement can be stored for every 2 degree.If the operating temperature range is between −30° C. and 85° C., 61frequency measurement data (at −35° C., −33° C., −26° C., . . . , 90°C.) are stored in the memory (e.g., a non-volatile memory such asflash). Frequency data storage at temperature T1 can be initialized(i.e. stored the first time) with frequency measurement from the GPSdevice if the measured temperature is between T1−1° C. and T1+1° C.Stored frequency data at temperature T2 can be updated with frequencymeasurement from the GPS device using an IIR (infinite impulse response)filter if the measured temperature is between T2−0.5° C. and T2+0.5° C.

Stored frequency data are used for frequency estimation duringacquisition phase. A linear extrapolation scheme may be used to estimatethe frequency for temperatures for which no data is stored. For example,assume that the frequency data at temperature T3, for which no measureddata is available, is required. Accordingly, frequency estimation can beperformed by using linear interpolation if frequency measurement dataare stored for any two temperatures T4 and T5 which satisfies T4<T3<T5.A simple linear interpolation can be computed as:ppm_out=(y2−y1)*(measured temperature−x1)/(x2−x1)+y1;where y1=ppm_stored1, y2=ppm_stored2,x1=temperature corresponding to ppm_stored1, andx2=temperature corresponding to ppm_stored2.

If all the temperatures for which stored data exist are either larger orsmaller than the desired temperature T3, a linear extrapolation may beused. Alternatively, more data points can be obtained by making use ofthe fact that a frequency change vs. the temperature curve is typicallyodd-symmetrical about room temperature or even-symmetrical about roomtemperature. As is well known, there are different kinds of quartzplates determined by different cut angles to quartz bars such as AT, BT,CT, DT, SL, and the like. Different types of quartz cuts show differentavailable elastic, piezoelectric, and dielectric properties. For themost popular AT-cut crystals, the frequency change vs. the temperaturecurve is substantially odd-symmetrical. For CT, BT, NT, XY, DT, SL cutcrystals, the frequency change vs. the temperature curve issubstantially even-symmetrical. FIG. 4 shows the ppm change in frequencyas a function of temperature for a number of cut crystals.

An example of linear extrapolation with a least square algorithm can beexpressed as for 3 data points (N=3):A=x1+x2+x3;B=x1^2+x2^2+x3^2;C=x1×y1+x2×y2+x3×y3;D=y1+y2+y3;for 4 data points (N=4):A=x1+x2+x3+x4;B=x1^2+x2^2+x3^2+x4^2;C=x1×y1+x2×y2+x3×y3+x4×y4;D=y1+y2+y3+y4;for 5 data points (N=5):A=x1+x2+x3+x4+x5;B=x1^2+x2^2+x3^2+x4^2+x5^2;C=x1×y1+x2×y2+x3×y3+x4×y4+x5×y5;D=y1+y2+y3+y4+y5;a=(N×C−A×D)/(B×N−A^2)b=(B×D−A×C)/(B×N−A^2)where (xi, yi) are data points for linear curve fitting, N is number ofdata points, and a and b are resulting coefficients from least squarealgorithm (yi=[a]x[xi]+b), where x represents the multiplicationoperation and i is an integer index.

If valid ppm data exists for temperatures that are smaller and largerthan a desired temperature, then linear interpolation can then beapplied to estimate the frequency at the desired temperature. Using oddor even symmetry and then applying linear interpolation improvesestimation accuracy compared to linear extrapolation. If a frequencycurve has odd symmetry with respect to (T0, F0), and (T0+[T0−T3], F1)can be obtained from stored data or linear interpolation, then thefrequency at T3 can be estimated with the equation F0+[F0−F1] as shownin FIG. 3C. In another embodiment, a polynomial function can be designedto best fit the frequency change curve.

FIG. 3C is a graph showing the odd symmetry of frequency change in ppmvs. temperature for estimating the ppm value associated with atemperature range. The frequency change in ppm vs. temperature range issubstantially odd-symmetric with respect to an inflection point (T0,F0). Typically, T0 is around the room temperature of 25° C.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the ppmrange of the crystal oscillator's frequency is partitioned into multipleregions, as shown in FIG. 3B. Upon initialization of the crystaloscillator, the initial temperature of the crystal oscillator ismeasured and receiver 100 applies a correction to the PLL based on afirst region that is associated with the measured initial temperature.For correction, frequency ppm vs. temperature curve which is formedduring a tracking phase is utilized. While the PLL is in the acquisitionphase, the current temperature of the crystal oscillator is periodicallymeasured and compared with the initial temperature. If the differencebetween the currently measured temperature and the initial temperatureobtained at the beginning of the acquisition exceeds a threshold value,GPS processor 180 (or controller 150) resets the acquisition, sets thecurrent temperature as the initial temperature and widens theacquisition carrier offset search range (if the carrier offset searchrange has not reached the maximum allowed search range), so as to causethe crystal temperature to be measured again after a certain timeperiod. This process continues until the acquisition phase issuccessful. In one embodiment, the acquisition phase is terminated whenthe PLL operates within an acceptable frequency range of the receivedGPS signal frequency. In another embodiment, the acquisition phase isterminated after the elapse of a certain time period corresponding to atimeout.

Upon completion of a successful acquisition, GPS receiver 100 enters atracking phase during which the frequency change ppm vs. temperaturewill be updated and maintained. The maintenance of the frequency changein ppm vs. temperature can be performed using a look-up table, apolynomial curve, or multiple affine functions. The tracking phase isvalidated by making sure that tracking loops are in lock and there is avalid pseudo range/position/velocity/time fix. In one embodiment, thetracking phase is validated when the GPS receiver 100 obtains a suitablecorrelation between the received GPS signal and a spreading codecorresponding to a satellite. After the tracking operation is validated,the difference between a nominal frequency of crystal and its truefrequency value in association with the measured temperature is stored.The stored data is used to compensate for the frequency drift of thecrystal oscillator over temperature.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart 300 of actions taken to acquire a GPS signal inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Prior to thisacquisition, the ppm change in the frequency of the oscillator as afunction of temperature is obtained during a tracking and stored in thereceiver's memory. After starting the carrier acquisition phase 310, theinitial temperature, shown by parameter temp_init, of the crystaloscillator is measured 315. The initial temperature temp_init iscompared 320 with the temperature of the crystal oscillator recordedbefore the receiver in which the oscillator is disposed enters the sleepmode; this temperature is shown as temp_sleep. If the difference(temp_init-temp_sleep) is detected 320 as being larger than a thresholdvalue, the acquisition carrier offset search range is increased if thecarrier offset search range has not reached a maximum value. Thereafter,a ppm correction corresponding to the initial temperature is estimated330 and used to adjust the frequency of the PLL used in the receiver.The ppm estimate in frequency is obtained using thefrequency-temperature data collected during a tracking phase, asexplained above. If the difference (temp_init-temp_sleep) is notdetected 320 as being larger than the threshold value, the frequency ofthe PLL is adjusted 330 in accordance with the ppm estimate of thefrequency in accordance with the initial value of the temperature. Afterthe elapse 335 of a certain time period, the current temperature ismeasured 340 again.

Subsequently the initial temperature at 315 is compared 340 with thecurrent temperature temp_current. If the difference between the currenttemperature and the initial temperature is detected 345 as being greaterthan a threshold value, the acquisition process will be reset 350, thevalue of the initial temperature temp_init is set to the currenttemperature, and the acquisition carrier offset search range is widenedif the carrier offset search range has not reached the maximum allowedvalue. The process moves to step 330. If the difference between thecurrent temperature and the initial temperature is detected 345 as beingless than or equal to the threshold value, then a determination is made360 about whether a request for the ppm region range has been received.If the ppm region range request has been received 360, the ppmcorrection required for the new ppm region range is applied 365 to thePLL. If the ppm region range request has not been received 360, theprocess moves to step 335.

Referring to flowchart 300 and FIG. 3B concurrently, at 335, 340, 345,360 and 365 of flowchart 300 attempt is made to acquire the GPS signalfor a known time period. If the acquisition is unsuccessful, theacquisition carrier offset search range is changed. For example, assumethat the acquisition is initially made at the center frequency ppm of P0with a range defined by (P0−Δ) to (P0+Δ). If the acquisition in thisfrequency range is successful, tracking operation may begin. If theacquisition in this frequency range is unsuccessful, the centerfrequency ppm is moved to P1 (P1 is higher than P0) with a ppm frequencyrange defined by (P1−Δ) to (P1+Δ). If the acquisition in the ppmfrequency range (P1−Δ) to (P1+Δ) is successful, tracking operation maybegin. If the acquisition in the ppm frequency range (P1−Δ) to (P1+Δ) isunsuccessful, the center frequency ppm is moved to P2 with a ppmfrequency range defined by (P2−Δ) to (P2+Δ). If the acquisition in theppm frequency range (P2−Δ) to (P2+Δ) is successful, tracking operationmay begin. If the acquisition in the ppm frequency range (P2−Δ) to(P2+Δ) is unsuccessful, the center frequency ppm is moved to P3 with appm frequency range defined by (P3−Δ) to (P3+Δ). In some embodiments(P2−P0) is the same as (P0−P1). In other embodiments, (P2−P0) isdifferent from (P0−P1). This process continues, until the GPS signal issuccessfully acquired.

In another embodiment, the acquisition phase may be considered ascompleted when the correlation between the received GPS signal and thestored PRN code corresponding to a satellite is high. Then theacquisition phase is switched to the tracking phase. The tracking phaseis considered as validated when the carrier offset tracking and the codephase tracking loops are in lock and a valid pseudorange/position/velocity/time fix is obtained.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart 400 of actions taken during a tracking operation,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Trackingphase starts at 400. During the tracking phase, the ppm frequency changeestimate is known and is relatively more accurate. Accordingly, at 420,the ppm frequency changes are estimated and the correspondingtemperatures are sensed and recorded. The ppm frequency changes and thetemperature corresponding to each ppm frequency change are stored in atable residing in the receiver's local memory for future temperaturecompensation. The new data added to the memory may be used to generateor update the function that establishes the relationship between the ppmfrequency change and temperature. Such a function may be presented asmultiple affine functions (e.g., ppm=slope×temperature change+offset),or a polynomial equation. Next, the rate of temperature change isdetermined at 430. Based on the calculated rate of temperature changeduring the tracking process or temperature change during the devicesleep mode or the signal strength, the bandwidth of the code phasetracking loop filter, the bandwidth of the carrier tracking loop filter,and the bandwidth of the lowpass filter may be adjusted at 440. Next,the center frequency offset during the acquisition phase is updated 460.If at 460, the tracked ppm is available, in one embodiment, theacquisition center frequency offset is set to (ppm×1575.42 MHz). If at460, the tracked ppm is not available, the acquisition center frequencyoffset is set either to (approximate ppm×1575.42 MHz) or to the averageof (carrier offset frequency—estimated Doppler frequency). The trackingprocess restarts at 420 after waiting 450 a certain time interval. Inanother embodiment of the present invention, a curve of the frequencychange vs. the associated temperature change can be updated.

While the advantages and embodiments of the present invention have beendepicted and described, there are many more possible embodiments,applications and advantages without deviating from the spirit of theinventive ideas described herein. It will be apparent to those skilledin the art that many modifications and variations in construction andwidely differing embodiments and applications of the present inventionwill suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

1. A method for determining a frequency drift of a crystal oscillator inresponse to a change in a temperature of the crystal oscillator, themethod comprising: measuring a current temperature of the crystaloscillator; calculating the change in the temperature of the crystaloscillator based on the currently measured temperature and a previouslymeasured temperature; and determining whether the change in thetemperature is greater than a threshold value; in the event that thechange in the temperature is greater than the threshold value: wideningan acquisition range of a phase-locked loop (PLL); and in the event thatthe change in the temperature is not greater than the threshold value:determining the frequency drift of the crystal oscillator using datastored in a memory, said data comprising a plurality of drift values ofthe frequency of the crystal oscillator corresponding to a plurality ofvalues of temperatures.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said crystaloscillator is disposed in a GPS receiver.
 3. The method of claim 2wherein the plurality of drift values of the frequency of the crystaloscillator and the corresponding plurality of values of the temperaturesare collected during a tracking phase of the GPS receiver.
 4. The methodof claim 3 wherein said crystal oscillator provides a reference clocksignal to the phase-locked loop disposed in the GPS receiver.
 5. Themethod of claim 4 wherein said phase-locked loop is a fractionalphase-locked loop.
 6. The method of claim 4 further comprising: applyinga non-linear function to the data to determine the frequency drift ofthe crystal oscillator.
 7. The method of claim 4 further comprising:changing a center frequency offset of the reference clock signal appliedto the PLL during an acquisition phase of the GPS receiver incrementallyand in accordance with a correction factor to generate a plurality offrequency ranges one of which causes the GPS receiver to acquire a GPSsatellite signal.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein adjacent frequencyranges partially overlap one another.
 9. The method of claim 8 furthercomprising: changing at least one of the plurality of drift values ofthe frequency of the crystal oscillator and its correspondingtemperature during a second tracking phase.
 10. The method of claim 8further comprising: increasing the number of the plurality of driftvalues of the frequency of the crystal oscillator and the number of theplurality of values of temperatures during a second tracking phase. 11.A device comprising: a crystal oscillator; a temperature sensor adaptedto sense a temperature of the crystal oscillator; a memory adapted tostore a plurality of drift values of the frequency of the crystaloscillator and a plurality of corresponding temperature values; and aprocessor adapted to receive the temperature sensed by the temperaturesensor, calculate a temperature change of the crystal oscillator, anddetermine whether the temperature change is greater than a thresholdvalue; wherein the processor is further adapted to widen an acquisitionrange of a phase-locked loop in the event that the change is greaterthan the threshold value, and to estimate a frequency drift of thecrystal oscillator and adjust the phase-locked loop in the event thatthe change is not greater than the threshold value.
 12. The device ofclaim 11 wherein said device is a GPS receiver.
 13. The device of claim12 wherein the plurality of drift values of the frequency of the crystaloscillator and the corresponding plurality of values of the temperaturesare collected during a tracking phase of the GPS receiver.
 14. Thedevice of claim 13 further comprising: a phase-locked loop receiving areference clock signal generated by the crystal oscillator.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14 wherein said phase-locked loop is a fractionalphase-locked loop.
 16. The device of claim 14 wherein said processor isadapted to apply a non-linear function to the data stored in the memoryto determine the frequency drift of the crystal oscillator.
 17. Thedevice of claim 15 wherein said processor is further adapted to change acenter frequency offset of the reference clock signal applied to the PLLduring an acquisition phase of the GPS receiver incrementally and inaccordance with a correction factor to generate a plurality of frequencyranges one of which causes the GPS receiver to acquire a GPS satellitesignal.
 18. The device of claim 17 wherein adjacent frequency rangespartially overlap one another.
 19. The device of claim 18 wherein saidprocessor is further adapted to change at least one of the plurality ofdrift values of the frequency of the crystal oscillator and itscorresponding temperature value stored in the memory during a secondtracking phase.
 20. The device of claim 18 wherein said processor isfurther adapted to increase the number of plurality of drift values ofthe frequency of the crystal oscillator and the number of plurality ofcorresponding temperature values during a second tracking phase.
 21. Amethod for temperature compensation of a crystal oscillator for a globalpositioning system (GPS) receiver, the method comprising: providing atemperature sensor coupled to the crystal oscillator; the crystaloscillator being coupled to a phase locked loop (PLL) and operative toproduce a reference frequency; starting an acquisition phase upon aninitialization of the crystal oscillator; measuring the referencefrequency; receiving a GPS signal; determining a frequency offset of thereference frequency from a frequency of the received GPS signal; andentering a tracking phase upon determining of the frequency offset;wherein starting the acquisition phase comprises: (a) measuring aninitial temperature at the proximity of the crystal oscillator; (b)estimating a frequency change value in association with the measuredtemperature; (c) applying the frequency change value to the phase lockedloop; (d) measuring a current temperature after a time period; (e)comparing the measured current temperature with the measured initialtemperature to obtain a temperature difference; (f) determining whetherthe temperature difference is greater than a threshold value; in theevent that the temperature difference is greater than a threshold value:widening a range of the acquisition phase; in the event that thetemperature difference is not greater than the threshold value:determining whether the PLL has received a request for a new frequencychange value; if the PLL has received the request for the new frequencychange value: applying the new frequency change value to the PLL; andgoing back to (d); and if the PLL has not received the request for thenew frequency change value, then going back to (d).
 22. The method ofclaim 21 wherein the entering a tracking phase is based on a goodcorrelation between the received GPS signal and a spreading codecorresponding to a satellite.
 23. The method of claim 21 wherein theentering a tracking phase is based on a lock signal of the carrieroffset tracking loop and code phase tracking loop, and a valid pseudorange/position/velocity/time fix.
 24. The method of claim 21 wherein theentering a tracking phase comprises: recording a frequency offset valueof the crystal oscillator in association with a measured currenttemperature; and constructing a set of the frequency offset values as afunction of the measured current temperature.
 25. The method of claim 24wherein the recording a frequency offset value comprises: storing thefrequency offset value associated with the measured current temperaturein a memory.
 26. The method of claim 24 wherein the constructing a setof frequency offset values comprises: building a plurality of affinefunctions, each of the plurality of affine functions fits a subset ofthe set of the frequency offset values.
 27. The method of claim 24wherein the constructing a set of frequency errors comprises: building apolynomial function to best fit the set of the frequency offset values.28. A GPS receiver device for frequency acquisition comprising: a phaselocked loop circuit operative in an acquisition mode and in a trackingmode and being configured to produce a clock signal; a crystaloscillator coupled to the phase locked loop circuit and configured toprovide a reference frequency to the phase locked loop circuit; atemperature sensor configured to measure a temperature at the proximityof the crystal oscillator; a GPS processor for receiving a GPS signal;and a controller configured to calculate a temperature difference at theproximity of the crystal oscillator based on the measured temperatureand a previously measured temperature and compare the temperaturedifference with a threshold value; wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to adjust an acquisition range or a frequency center of thePLL based on a result of the comparison.
 29. The device of claim 28wherein the phase locked loop comprises a sigma-delta modulator.
 30. Thedevice of claim 28 wherein the tracking loop mode is operable to track afrequency difference between the reference frequency and the clocksignal and adjust the clock signal based on the frequency difference.31. The device of claim 28 wherein the GPS processor is operable in awide-bandwidth search range in the acquisition mode or in a smallbandwidth loop in the tracking mode.
 32. The device of claim 28 whereinthe controller is operable to store the frequency difference associatedwith the measured temperature.
 33. The device of claim 28 wherein thecontroller is operable to apply a frequency correction to the phaselocked loop based on a measured temperature at an initialization of anacquisition phase.
 34. The device of claim 28 wherein the controller isoperable to construct a set of frequency differences as a function ofmeasured temperatures.
 35. The device of claim 28 wherein the set offrequency differences is characterized by a polynomial function.
 36. Thedevice of claim 28 wherein the controller is operable to calibrate theclock signal based on a best fit of the polynomial function.